A supplement to The Morning-exercise at Cripple-Gate, or, Several more cases of conscience practically…

1. I shall explain the sense of these first two Arguments in their order: and first, the sense of the first Argument taken from the fitness of the season for working, as 'tis called the time and the day. And herein first, I shall explain the word Time, secondly, the word Day.

Sect. 7 1. By [Time] is not here meant the flux, succession, or continuation of Time by minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, which we call the space of Time; but by Time according to the signification of the word in the greek, I understand the tempestivity, or opportunity of time: For in the greek 'tis [Greek or Hebrew], which signifies season or opportunity, a time accommodated and fitted to employment; in which we may undertake our Heavenly business with hope of success. When time and means meet together in conjunction, then they produce opportunity. This seasonableness, or tempestivity of time, is therefore not unfitly called by some the Grace of time, the flower of time, and that to time which the flower is to the stalk, ([Greek or Hebrew].) which cream is to the milk, which lustre is to the metal. In civil undertakings, as trading, ploughing, and sowing, opportunity is (as one saith) the Grace of time; but in Spiritual undertakings, Opportunity is the time of Grace, the time fitted and suited by God for the benefiting of our Souls by the means of Grace. It is as the Angel's stirring in the water, into which he that stepped first was healed. It is as the day of a Prince his audience for the answering of petitions. It is as the opening of Heaven-gates unto them that strive for entrance. It is as the Spiritual market-day for the procuring of saving provisions for our Souls, upon which we are to live for ever.

Sect. 7 1. By [Time] is not here meant the flux, succession, or continuation of Time by minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years, which we call the space of Time; but by Time according to the signification of the word in the greek, I understand the tempestivity, or opportunity of time: For in the greek 'tis 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, which signifies season or opportunity, a time accommodated and fitted to employment; in which we may undertake our Heavenly business with hope of success. When time and means meet together in conjunction, then they produce opportunity. This seasonableness, or tempestivity of time, is therefore not unfitly called by some the Grace of time, the flower of time, and that to time which the flower is to the stalk, (.) which cream is to the milk, which lustre is to the mettal. In civil undertakings, as trading, plowing, and sowing, opportunity is (as one saith) the Grace of time; but in Spiritual undertakings, Opportunity is the time of Grace, the time fitted and suited by God for the benefiting of our Souls by the means of Grace. It is as the Angel's stirring in the water, into which he that stepped first was healed. It is as the day of a Prince his audience for the answering of petitions. It is as the opening of Heaven-gates unto them that strive for entrance. It is as the Spiritual market-day for the procuring of saving provisions for our Souls, upon which we are to live for ever.